BOSTON, MA (January 4, 2025)—Senior Captain
Emanuel Zayas (Hollywood, Fla.) eclipsed 1,000 career points with a team-high 19-point outing in a Saturday showcase against the Salem State Vikings, resulting in an 85-78 victory from the Beacons' home court.
The Basics:
UMass Boston 85 – 78 Salem State
UMass Boston: 7-4 (2-1 Little East Conference)
Salem State: 3-10
How it Happened:
- Salem State scored the game's first two baskets before junior Tyler Victor (Brockton, Mass.) put the Beacs on the board with a putback layup. Zayas joined the action on the following possession with a signature deep-range pull-up for three points. The game was deadlocked even for the earliest possessions of the game. However, Salem State began to settle in early on and inch out to a five-point lead at the 13-minute mark. Senior forward Anthony Gauthier finished a fastbreak layup to retake a one-point advantage just before the halfway mark in the first half. Gauthier would find Zayas on the following possession for his third three-pointer of the half, bringing him 2 points away from 1,000. His next shot, in typical Zayas fashion, he drained another three-pointer at the 4:24 minute mark to officially stamp 1,001 career points for the guard. As he cashed the shot he knew was going in, he was welcomed with a warm roar of the Clark Gymnasium, taking back with him on defense a smile that stretched from ear to ear, signifying the moment's importance. The Beacons concluded the first half off another Victor Layup to give the Beacons a ten-point cushion heading into halftime. At the horn, the Beacons exited the court up 34-44.
- Victor got things going for UMass Boston once again following the 3PT miss and two of his offensive rebounds, finally getting a third to drop in. The Vikings came out motivated and dug nine points into their ten-point deficit to close the gap and make it a one-point game with 15 minutes remaining. Following the second media timeout, Zayas sparked a run that stretched 11 points over the next five minutes, as the Beacons would run it up back to a 10-point advantage for UMass Boston. The closest the Vikings would bring it back would be two points at the 4:10 mark off a good three-pointer, but the Beacons were able to finish strong despite the final push, thanks to the total team effort on behalf of UMass Boston.
By the Box:
- Zayas led all UMass Boston scorers with 19 points (6-12 FG, 5-9 3PT, 2-2 FT) four rebounds and three assists.
- Mark Barrett (Brookline, Mass,) played with swagger, dropping ten dimes and snatching seven rebounds to go with eight points, a near triple-double for the two-way playmaker.
- In 26 minutes off the bench, first-year Raphel Laurent (Peabody, Mass.) scored a season-high 14 points to go with four rebounds, a block and a steal.
- Victor, in his fifth start as a Beacon, notched 12 points and pulled in seven boards.
- Gauthier recorded season-highs in nearly every category, including 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
- Junior forward Connor Walden (Marshfield, Mass.) snatched six rebounds, a team-high four offensive, to go with 11 points in 12 minutes off the bench.
Who's Next:
- The Beacons are back on the road on Wednesday, January 8, for a 7:00 p.m. Little East Conference tip-off against the Huskies of the University of Southern Maine. Stay tuned for the game preview, which will provide details on the matchup and broadcast links. For all things UMass Boston Athletics, stay tuned at UMass Boston - Official Athletics Website.
--FOR THE TIMES--
